Christmas Eve Communion
We will have the church open on the evening of Christmas Eve so you and your family can come by and partake in communion together. More details about communion is below.
Everything you need will be in the lobby, and worship music will be playing softly in the auditorium. We encourage you to drop in at whatever time is convenient for you between 6-10pm, grab the elements, find a place in the auditorium, pray together as a family and remember the Lord’s Table through communion together. Let this be a cherished moment for you and your family remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who came to save us all from our sins.
What is communion?
Communion stems originally from a celebration known as Passover that we see in Exodus when God’s people celebrated the promise of God’s protection. (Exodus 12) Jesus repurposed the celebration when He and His disciples gathered around the time of Jewish Passover. Jesus made a new promise:
“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”
Jesus promised to spare us eternal death and cover our sins by his own blood. Jesus Christ was broken and poured out so that we could have an everlasting relationship with the Father. The Passover was only a foreshadowing of the great act of grace and mercy that Jesus would provide to those who choice to believe and follow Him.
Here are some practical steps that you can use to lead your family in communion:
1. Pause
A big part of communion is remembering and reflection. Remember the sacrifice and promise that Jesus has made. You may want to read a Scripture passage—here are some ideas:
Psalm 22
Isaiah 53
Mark 15:21-29
John 19
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Galatians 2:16-21
Ephesians 2:1-10
Philippians 2:1-11
Communion should also involve personal reflection. It’s a time to examine our relationship with the Lord and with others.
“So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself.”
2. Partake
Give instructions to your family on what to do and when. Following the example in Scripture, we eat the bread, followed by the cup. You can have someone read this passage from scripture --
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-24
Eat the bread and continue the reading:
“In the same way, He took the cup also after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’” 1 Corinthians 11:25
Drink the juice and then finish the reading: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26
3. Pray
Thank God for what he has done, the sacrifice He made so that we could have eternal life with Him, and His blood that gives us forgiveness of sin so that we have relationship with the Father. Thank Him for His promises, offer up prayers of gratitude, joy, and hope. Pray for those you may know who do not have a relationship with Christ. Feel free to also pray over the needs of your family and loved ones!